PAC parolee back in prison for ‘lying’ about protest
EX-PAC combatant and political prisoner Kenny Motsamai could have his house-arrest parole revoked after he was rearrested for allegedly lying about his movements to attend a protest.
Motsamai, 55, was arrested at his house in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni by prison warders escorted by the police in the dead of the night on Thursday and detained at the Boksburg Correctional Centre.
He is due to appear before the Correctional Supervision Board soon to have his parole reviewed, while the department launches its own investigation into the allegations against Motsamai, spokesperson Ofentse Morwane said yesterday.
“He violated his house-arrest parole conditions by leaving the magisterial district on Wednesday without permission from Boksburg Community Corrections. In terms of our preliminary investigation, the parolee left the magisterial district to go to Hatfield in Pretoria under false pretences.
“He had indicated that he was going to attend to pension matters for his children. Instead, he went to join a group of protesters outside the Department of Military Veterans building, where he was spotted (by prison officials) addressing them on Thursday,” said Morwane.
“During the protest, he also apparently behaved in a violent manner that threatened the well-being and security of officials at the department,” Morwane added, saying Motsamai was previously warned against participating in protests.
Correctional Services’ parole conditions for inmates include good conduct at all times, not committing a crime or consuming alcohol or drugs, and not leaving the magisterial district without informing prison authorities, he said.
Motsamai’s lawyer, Andries Nokwe, denied there was a protest and said he had permission to be in Pretoria. He said the department had informed them that Motsamai did not get home on time from Pretoria.
“Motsamai obtained permission to be at the Department of Military Veterans offices. There was no protest; instead people were queuing to try to get their benefits, like pensions.
“The department cannot assist people, and are thus trying to pull the wool over your eyes,” Nokwe said.
He added that Motsamai was one of the 250 military veterans gathered at the department’s offices, who were trying to get their benefits.
Nokwe pointed out that Motsamai also complained about the treatment he was receiving in prison. “He is complaining that he is not getting enough food. I hope they release him.”
Last month, Motsamai, who at the time had been on parole for a year, complained about harassment and poor treatment by correctional officials.
His daughter Busi said initially the officials did not want to give the family access to Motsamai until Saturday. “He looked strong, but he told us that he had not eaten since his arrest and that he was not allowed to see his lawyer.
“We had to fight to see him, and when we did, we could only speak to him through the glass,” she added.
Morwane denied claims that Motsamai was not being fed or allowed to see his lawyer.
“The allegations that he is not being allowed to see a lawyer are malicious and misleading, as there is a legal visit scheduled for Monday (today). Also, it is mandatory for the department to ensure that all inmates receive meals. And Mr Motsamai is no exception.
“It has been reported that he refused to eat the food that was provided to all offenders, requesting a special diet. A special diet is provided on the recommendations of a medical doctor,” Morwane pointed out.
Motsamai spent nearly 28 years in jail for killing a white traffic officer in Rustenburg in 1989 during a PAC-sanctioned bank robbery. Prior to his release last year, Motsamai was granted day parole, with strict conditions that included leaving the prison at 8am and being back by 4pm.
In his eight-months-long parole, he was fitted with a monitoring device on his ankle.